On 9/11/04 2:34 PM, in article
2480a1fd.0409111134.5542bfd5@posting.google.com, "ghostdog69"
<ghostdog69@lycos.com> wrote:

> I was qouted at $725 for timing belt water pump (all belts the guy
> said, not just timing belt, steering ect) & $425 for the other regular
> 90,000 mile maintenence work for a 1990 Honda Prelude 2.0 S.
>
> Does this sound right? It's a Honda delearship service center in
> Matteson, IL. All work is warrantied 12 months. Should I check out
> independent certified mechs or just roll with this? I want the job
> done right.
>


This is definitely top dollar pricing for the 90,000 miles service. You
should be able to get the belt done by an independent for about half that
quote, or do it all yourself for about $200 in parts.

What are the specific "regular 90,000 mile maintenance" items that they are
offering to do for the extra $425? Look in your owner's manual and price
out only those thing that are supposed to be done at 90,000. I'll bet you
will be hard pressed to find $425 in legitimate things (not counting the
belt) that actually need to be done. The packaged service price at dealers
is almost always a major rip-off.


> Out of curiousity do most import cars use this timing belt thing?

In '90 most of the imports did use timing belts (except Nilsson 4 cylinder
engines of that generation used chains). Most of the Japanese car makers
are now moving to timing chains on the new cars.

> THe
> Prelude was a bargain for what I paid for it even weith these
> maintenence costs added but if I decide to buy new or cert used later
> on it would be nice to buy something that will run for a long time
> without having to open the engine up.

A quick look at KBB.com shows a '90 'lude with 90,000 miles in good
condition has a trade-in value of $1245. I certainly would not dump $1150
into one for just a timing belt and a "service".